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2023 Honda Odyssey Body & Structure Problems

6 owner-reported body & structure complaints from NHTSA data

6
Complaints
Feb 2026Dec 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (6)

highSTRUCTURE
Filed: Feb 2026

Your rear lift gate opens and closes on its own while you're driving and when parked, which could cause groceries or other items to fall out and create a safety hazard for passengers. The dealership believes water is getting inside the lift gate mechanism through damaged weather stripping around the rear window, causing the controls to malfunction. Fixing this will likely involve replacing the weather stripping and inspecting the lift gate's electrical controls for water damage.

NHTSA #: 11720628
highSTRUCTURE
Filed: Jul 2025

Your tailgate closed unexpectedly and struck you when you pressed the release button while the vehicle was off. No medical attention was needed, but this indicates the tailgate's closing mechanism may not be functioning safely. The issue occurred at approximately 9,000 miles. A technician should inspect the tailgate's hydraulic struts, latch mechanism, and electronic controls to ensure they're working properly.

NHTSA #: 11673349
mediumSTRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Dec 2025

Water is leaking into your trunk, likely due to a seal or drainage issue. This could lead to rust, mold, or damage to items stored in the trunk if not addressed. The fix will likely involve inspecting and resealing the trunk gasket or clearing any blocked trunk drain holes.

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NHTSA #: 11704814
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: May 2025

The rear lift gate malfunctioned, causing my rear lift gate to get scratch from top to bottom because the lift gate would NOT STOP. I have never had issues with manually stopping the lift gate. I pushed the button and let it come up and then used force to stop it and it would not stop. I do CrossFit 5 days a week and find myself to be strong suit, I physically could not stop this lift gate. It broke two of my nails in the process because I was doing everything I could to stop the lift gate. Instead of stopping it kept going scratching up against our basketball hoop because it malfunctioned. what if this was my arm or my leg stuck in between versus an item? What if this was someone's head, including my children's head? it would have decapitated them. The amount of force of this lift gate was insane, there was absolutely no stopping it. I have an issue with this, not safe at all. You should be able to easily stop this back lift gate without that much physical force. Our honda odyssey lift gate malfunctioned and WOULD NOT STOP

NHTSA #: 11659267
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Mar 2025

I am [XXX]. I purchased this Honda Odyssey van after it was modified by BraunAbility. They put in an automatic underfloor ramp, and other modifications. When used without these modifications, there are three rows of seating. Passengers go in and out, and the passenger-side sliding door opens with an automatic button. There is a sensor that controls that door. It is never in danger of being hit or disturbed in use by an ambulatory person. However, when it is used with a ramp, the second row of seats is removed and replaced with a passenger-side ramp. The ramp is 30 inches wide. The normal power wheelchair is 26 to 29 inches wide. This leaves only 2 inches MAXIMUM on either side of the ramp for the wheelchair. It is virtually impossible to NOT hit the sensor when going in or out by wheelchair!! I have had this van for about two years. I use it about once every two weeks. Most times I have an assistant driving. I have only used it about 50 times TOTAL, in two years. On [XXX], I had a doctor's appointment. I activated the automatic door and ramp. I rolled up the ramp, and parked in the passenger area. That seat has been removed for the wheelchair. My assistant pushed the button to activate the ramp to go back under-floor. It did so. BUT the sliding door on the passenger side did NOT close at all! Eventually he managed to manually slide the door shut. If I had been driving alone, I would have been stranded right there---at the doctor's office, shopping center, etc., as I do NOT have the strength to manually close that door! This is clearly a danger to disabled people using this modified Honda Odyssey. Honda and BraunAbility should be required to protect and reinforce the sensor area so users will NOT easily damage the sensor with light use of this van! This may also be a clear violation of the ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act. [XXX], Retired INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #: 11648633
mediumSTRUCTURE
Filed: Sep 2023

My child was inside the minivan in the 2nd row and pressed the close door button on the sliding door while holding their other hand on the door jamb near the handle on the interior frame. The door slid closed and smashed their hand hard, automatically latching the door with their hand crushed inside the door. This is possible because their is a pinch sensor, but it is only on the outside edge of the door. So anything in between the door and the frame on the interior edge can be crushed hard without any sensor to detect and prevent it. I tested this with a flip flop and confirmed that it could be placed inside almost the entire width of the door and the door would still close with unrelenting full force. This does not seem to be a manufacturing defect, but instead seems to be a significant safety design defect and puts children or adults inside the vehicle at risk for injury including broken fingers.

NHTSA #: 11542675

Other 2023 Honda Odyssey Issues